US hostages ‘remember Iranian President from embassy siege’

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Claim and counter-claim over role of new President in the 1979 US Embassy seige

The White House is exploring allegations that the new President-elect of Iran, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was involved in the 1979 American Embassy siege in Tehran.

Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary said today that the Bush Administration was taking reports that American hostages remember Mr Ahmadinejad taking part in the hostage crisis “very seriously”.

Mr Ahmadinejad’s role in the crisis is disputed and rumours of his direct involvement are widely dismissed by insiders in Iran, including known hostage takers.

But Mr McClellan said today: “I think the news reports and statements from several former American hostages raise many questions about